Feedback: Enough playing games on Medicaid, readers say

Aug. 31, 2013

A huge debate in Michigan drew closer to an end last week, when the state Senate voted to expand Medicaid in Michigan, as directed under the Affordable Care Act. But the votes — there were two — on the issue were not without drama. The implementation of the bill will be delayed until April 1 unless the Senate decides to give it immediate effect. The ACA requires Americans to have health insurance starting Jan. 1. A delay in implementing Michigan’s Medicaid expansion could cost the state $7 million a day. Here’s what readers had to say in letters to the editor and on the comments section of Freep.com:

No matter how our state senators feel about the Medicaid expansion, they were hired to do their job. And that is to cast a vote. Sen. Pat Colbeck, R-Canton, displayed his arrogance and total disregard for his constituents when he decided not to cast a vote. He withheld his “no” vote so that the lieutenant governor would then be denied the opportunity to cast the tie-breaker. That is nothing but dirty, underhanded politicking — throwing a tantrum, because one doesn’t get his way.

John Schimmel

Canton

This is an unbelievably complicated issue. There are compelling arguments both for and against the expansion. However, I admire Sen. Patrick Colbeck for having the courage of his convictions. Colbeck is principled in his opposition to this bill, and he put forth thoughtful, alternative legislation, which is something that few legislators ever do.

Kathleen McIntyre

Via Freep.com

It is not the job of the federal government to be in the health care business. It is not up to the federal government to manage health care, either. Nowhere in our constitution does it state that the government should make people buy health insurance or else. We need smaller government and government out of our business.

Kathleen Mantha-Mrozek

Via Freep.com

The right-wing fringe, in control of the Republican Party, is saying to low-income workers, “Yep, you’ll get health care next year, but just because I can prevent you for a few months, you can’t have it now, so there!” Mean and cruel. Working people in this state are sick and need help. End this nonsense.

Dave Woodward

Via Freep.com

It seems that most of the Senate Republicans are willing to hurt the state budget and to cynically delay the Medicaid expansion for hundreds of thousands of their constituents in order to register their disapproval of Obama. They had better reconsider and get the necessary two-thirds vote, or they will be remembered for this foolish and irresponsible opposition.

David Flanders

Via Freep.com

Medicaid expansion is a part of the overall Obamacare plan, and I suspect there will be a lot of broken promises from Washington and far more dollars spent than projected.